The global pandemic has affected everyone in many ways and has been a fundamental shift in the advancement of Corporate Wellness. For many employees, the health crisis ushered in significant changes to the workplace, with a major shift to remote work, heightening health consciousness as a priority－not just physically but also emotionally and mentally as well.
In response to this shift, companies have given in-depth focus to their employees’ holistic wellbeing through designing and managing wellness initiatives that will boost the productivity output of team members, foster mental and emotional health, improve physical wellbeing, and make them comfort in all areas of life—including work.
Why invest in corporate wellness programs?
As Sarah Kalmeta, Success Coach and head of Pivot Point, shares, “At the end of the day, your business is run by people, and happy people are productive people and productive people are happy people. By taking care of your people, your business will see reduced costs, reduced stress, lower turnover, greater productivity, increased morale, and improved employee and client relationships. Corporate wellness programs are shown to have a positive impact on both the employer and employee.”
How does corporate wellness play a role in the effectiveness of a team/business?
Judy Xu, life coach and owner of Balance Health Hong Kong, shares that wellness programs are an integral part of business and how keeping the employees happy, motivated, and engaged equates to high productivity and overall business performance.
“It used to be the case that working as a team towards a common goal made everyone happy. But nowadays, millennials in particular, have a clear sense of purpose in their work and are aware of how the company can take care of them.
Our approach to corporate wellness is to take a holistic view of our employees’ work lives as well as their lives in general, and by taking care of their mental and physical health, we can align their life purpose with the company’s purpose while increasing their satisfaction and fulfillment at work. As a result, we aim to improve the productivity of our employees and teams and their ability to solve problems.
What kind of corporate wellness programs are currently being executed considering COVID-19?
The five elements theory categorizes everything in nature into wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. Thiz Traditional Chinese Medicine wellness program, which includes meridian exercises that help to balance each of these elements, is very effective in boosting the immune system. This self-healing workout is designed to unblock major meridian (energy pathways in the body) and stimulate the circulation of ‘Qi’. Practices such as meridian stretching, acupressure, and meditation with singing bowls, and lead to a healthy body and mind.
Also recommended are interactive, remote workshops that can be practiced at home. These are designed to take care of mental fatigue, strengthen connections within teams, and maintain wellness in the workplace. Breathing techniques, self-awareness, mindset, meditation, and moderate exercise can all help you take control of the mental fatigue one experiences when working from home.
By implementing a situational wellness program, companies can create a healthier work environment for their employees. This allows for maximum performance, high productivity, and minimized economic loss.